Indoor football game



L 1950 E. T. ARNN 2,517,460

INDOOR FOOTBALL GAME Filed Aug. 13, 1948 EDWARD 7. ARN/V 'i/mw (ill/Km ATTORN EYJ,

Patented Aug. 1, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,517,460 INDOOR FOOTBALL GAME Edward T. Arnn, Colorado Springs, 0010.

Application August 13, 1948, Serial No. 44,001

4 Claims.

This invention is a simulated football game, in which the standard rules of football are followed fairly closely, and the actual moves made on the game board made to parallel actual play of the football field as far as possible.

The game of this invention comprises a game board, laid out like a football field, with goal posts, side lines, yardage lines and the like.

There are eleven game pieces for each team, the pieces for each team being distinctively colored. In each set of game pieces, there would be the usual five linemen, two ends and four backs.

Each game piece is shaped to actually carry a small disk or the like simulating the football. Each game piece, representing a particular player, is provided with a shallow recess in its top within which a small disk, representing the football, rests. The ball travels along with the game piece, such travel indicating the actual travel of the ball on the field. The game pieces or players are propelled or flipped by the fingers of the persons playing the game. The movements of the players are therefore controlled manually, and so the game is a game of skill, rather than a game of chance.

While the ball normally travels or rides along on top of its game piece as just mentioned, it can be displaced therefrom by a sufiicient impact. Such impact and displacing or loss of the ball may result from contact with an opposing game piece, signifying a tackle. However, if the ball thus displaced comes to rest against another game piece or player, it is considered to be a fumble, that is recovered by that player.

Such displacing impact may also result from too sharp a blow from the finger of the person flipping the game piece on which the ball is riding.

The game also comprises five and ten yard markers or scribers, for defining zones about a ball about to be put in play in a scrimmage, within which zones opposing players must be located in order to be eligible to tackle the player carrying the ball. Measurements are made from the center of one game piece to the center of another.

Further details of the game will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the game board.

Figs. 2 and 3 are edge and plan views of game pieces representing the linemen.

Figs. 4. and 5 are edge and plan views of game pieces representing the ends.

Figs. 6 and 7 are edge and plan views of game pieces representing the backs.

Figs. 8 and 9 are edge and plan views of the element used to represent the football.

Figs. 10 and 11 are edge and plan views showing the ball in place on a game piece representing a player.

Fig. 12 shows zones about a runner traveling in a given direction within which opposing players are eligible to tackle the runner.

Fig. 13 shows a marker or scriber of a type for marking three, five and ten yard zones.

Fig. 14 shows a typical line-up for a scrimmage.

The game board of Fig. l is preferably a flat piece 2 of any suitable material of any convenient size, say about 4 by 9 feet, which may be hinged to fold in the middle, or in convenient lengths for storage, etc. It is provided with the usual goal posts, end zones and yardage lines, as on a standard football field. An upstanding rim or border 4 may surround the field at its sides and edges.

The game pieces representing the players are preferably disks 6, provided with shallow recesses 8, on one or both sides, the edges of the recesses extending upwardly and outwardly in a curve or bevel I0, the sides l2 of the recesses preferably being at an angle of about 30 to to the horizontal, for reasons discussed below. The center of each recess 8 contains a notch 9 for use with the marker or scriber to beused in defining the zone about the ball carrier as described below.

Five game pieces 6 are provided for the five linemen, that is, for the center, guards and tackles. These five pieces representing the linemen are preferably of the same color, and each could be further distinctively labeled to indicate his precise position in the line.

Two more game pieces 6a, Figs. 4 and 5, are provided, for the two ends, colored to differentiate from the others, and preferably labeled End.

Four more game pieces 6b, Figs. 6 and 7, are provided for the four backs, colored differently from the others and preferably labeled to designate particular backs.

structurally, all the game pieces of Figs. 4-7 are preferably similar to the game pieces of Figs. 2 and 3.

The ball is represented by a disk I41, about twice as thick as the depth of one of the recesses 8, although, of course, its size may be varied. The edges of the disk [4 are rounded or beveled, as shown at l5. The diameter of disk i4 is such that the disk [4 rests in a recess 8 in any of the disks representing the players, as in Fig. 10; when in this position the ball I4 is in the possession of the player represented by the disk and movements of this player represent movements of the ball. The center of the disk representing the 3 call is notched as at it for the purpose of measuring zones about the ball carrier" as described below.

An important feature of the game is that the shape and weight of the ball It, considered in connection with the depth of the carrying recesses 8 and the angle of the sloping sides 22, all cooperate so that when the player t, or 6a or Eb, carrying the ball, is subjected to a slight push or light impact, the player and ball move along together, the progress of such player representing the progress of the ball. However, where the ball carrying player E is subjected to a sharp impact, as by too sharp a, fiip or blow with the finger or too sharp a contact with another player, the ball rides up the inclined sides IQ of recesses 8 and drops off the disk d and the "call is considered as lost by that player.

A play is initiated by a person flipping or snapping with his finger a disk carrying the bail, as in Fig. 10'. His opponent then flips or snaps one of his players, to try to dislodge the ball from the opposing player; if he does dislodge the ball, this is considered a tackle. so dislodged comes to rest against a player of either side, thisis regarded as a fumble, which is regarded as recovered by that player.

A typical line-up for a scrimmage is shown in Fig. 14.

A marker, scriber or caliper 26 as shown in Fig. 13, of alength torepresent ten yards, used to define a zone 57, as shown in Fig. 12, on that side of the ball M toward which it is being advanced. A second marker or scriber, of the type shown at 263 in Fig. 13, is usedto definea zone i8,

on the other side of the ball. Opposing players 6 Within zones ii and 18' are considered as eligible to tackle the player carrying the ball, players outside these Zones being ineligible to tackle.

Further details of the game and method of play 7 appear from the following rules of play:

1. The rules of football apply to this game in as much as is possible.

2'. The methods of running, passing, and kickingv the ball and of blocking, running interference,

and tackling'are roughly the same as in realfootball.

A. To run the ball The ball is placed in the recess of the man 6 who is to run the ball and: the man flipped with.

naturally. constitute a down. The ball. and men.

are so made that an attempt to flip the runner for too great a. gain results in the ball becoming dislodged and. thereby preventing the offensive team from: making a touchdown. almost. every time they have the ball.

B. Tb tackle To tackle, the defensive player flipsone-of his men in sucha way as to cause that man to strikethe runner' (the term runner as used herein is synonymous with that of ball carrier) dislodging the ball completely from the runner;

However, if the ball This 4 constitutes the tackle and must not be confused with a fumble. Dislodging the ball completely from the runner is the method of tackling in this game. However, if in the process of tackling the runner the ball rolls off and comes to rest in direct contact with any other player of either team then it is considered as a fumbled ball which has been recovered.

tackle must be ma'dedirectly' by the defensive team. The defensive player may not at any time flip one of his men causing that man to strike one of the offensive teams men so as to make the offensive teams own man tackle his runner. If this happens then the ball is replaced on the runner in his original position and the play resumed until the runner is legally tackled. The illegal tackle does not constitute a down.

The runner, when legally tackled, is considered down at the very spot on which he stood when tackled and not at the spot where the ball or the runner lands after the impact of the tackle. This rule may be varied to suit the players.

Except on the kickoff and the return of a punt no man may be used to tackle the runner who is further away than a ten yard radius in front or to the front sides of the runner, nor may a man who is more than a five-yard radius distance from the rear or rear sides of a runner be used to tackle the runner 12). Apparatus like Fig. 13 is included with this game to measure these distances. This rule is optional or may be varied to suit the players.

C. To block:

To block or run interference the offensive player flips one of his men in such a way as to interpose his man between a prospective tackler and therunner thus preventing, if successful, the prospective tackler from making a legal tackle as discussed in B above. playermay block by flipping one of" his men in such a Way as to drive a prospective tackler further away than the legal tackling range about the runner (see B above) or by driving the prospective tackler out of the playing field whence that man and his blocker, if he goes out of bounds also, cannot be used for the rest oi the play. A blocker'may biock out more than one man if desired or possible. He may even be used to block out one of his own men. No man may be used (flipped) two times in succession for blocking;

* see below. A blocker must be within a l0-yard radius in front or 5-yard radius behind Of the man he isto block tobe eligible to block out this man. This rule is optional, or the distances may be varied to suit the players.

D. To pass After the defensive team has had its one chance to tackle the passer (see Rule 5) then the ball is placed on the field at the spot where the passer stood and the passer moved back ten yards from the bail in line with the direction in which he intends to pass the ball and then the passer is flipped so as to strike the ball driving it towards the receiver. In order for the pass to be completed the ball must strike the receiver. It isincomplete if it fails to touch the receiver. than one of the men are touched by the ball then the last man touched receives the ball; If the only man or the last man touched by the ball is one of the defensive tcams men then the'pass'is Also the offensive- If more considered to be intercepted. The ball itself is never flipped.

E. TO kick The same procedure for passing the ball is used in kicking the ball, the kicker being placed only five yards behind the ball instead of ten as in passing. In kicking the ball on the kickoff or for a punt the last man touched by the ball either receives it or downs it according to the rules of football. When it fails to touch a man and is still on the playing field then the nearest man to the ball picks it up Or downs it. If the ball goes into the end zone or out of bounds then the regular rules of football are used to put the ball back into play.

For extra points after a touchdown or for a field goal the ball must be kicked between the circles or other device representing the goal posts.

The ball is never flipped in kicking or in passing.

F. Centering The ball is placed on the center until the play is ready to begin then it is passed, by hand, back to the man who is to carry the ball. The ball may not be centered. back further than fifteen yards or further to the sides of the center than three yards. This zone is shown at 22 in Fig. 14.

G. Miscellaneous Trick plays, these are rather difficult to make practical for this particular game. The players may work out their own trick plays.

3. Regular football line-ups are used in this game.

i. The Iciclcofi-After the kickoff and one of the receiving teams men has received the ball that team first is allowed two blocks (blocks or interference being used whichever is desired) the same man not being used twice in succession. Next the defensive team is allowed one chance to tackle the runner, the rule that the tackler must be within a ten yard radius in front of the runner or a three yard radius behind the runner not applying to the kickoff or the return of a punt. If this first attempt to tackle the runner is unsuccessful then the runner is flipped in any direction desired preferably for as much gain as possible. Following this the offensive team has two chances to block out prospective tacklers or use interference. Then the defensive team has one more chance to tackle the runner and so on in the sequence just described until a touchdown has been made or the runner is tackled or struck so as to be forced out of bounds.

5. Line pZays.--Standard lineups are used, the offensive team lining up first. To start a play the ball is centered back to the man who is to carry the ball by simply removing the ball from the center and placing it on the man who is to carry the ball. The offensive team starts the play by taking its allotted two blocks in order to open up a hole in the defensive line, or to send out a man to receive a pass, or to clear the way for a punt, etc. Next, the defensive team has one chance to tackle the man with the ball or if that is impossible it may use this chance to block up the hole made in its line. In attempting to do the latter the defensive man may be flipped in such a way as to drive one or more of his own teammates into the opening made in his teams line. After this the offensive team may run, pass, or kick the ball. After an attempt to run or pass the ball, if successful, the offensive team then has team has its one opportunity to tackle the man with the ball. If this is unsuccessful then the runner is flipped for as much gain as possible and then two blocks thrown by the offensive team. Then the defensive team has another chance to tackle the runner and so on in the sequence given until a touchdown is made or the runner tackled. For every ten yards gained a first down is earned. If in four downs the offensive team fails to gain the necessary ten yards for a first down then the ball goes over to the defensive team on downs.

6. If one player is found off side after the play has started the offending team may be penalized for off side. If one man lands on top of another the top mans team is penalized for holding.

7. If at any time after a tackle or a fall (see Rule Z-A) the ball is found touching a man then it is considered as a fumble recovered by the team whose man the ball is touching.

8. The game is timed just as the real game is in as far as is practical. An alarm clock may be used to time the quarters. If a, referee is present a penalty may be imposed for taking too much time initiating a play, or for delaying the game.

9. No man may be moved without flippin him according to the rules given above, Exceptions being in lining up the men and in moving a passer or kicker back from the ball.

10. By use of the imagination almost anything that occurs in a real football game may be duplicated in this game.

For those not familiar with the rules of football a book of rules should be purchased.

While the invention and rules of play have been described in some detail, it should. be understood that the invention is not to be limited to this precise disclosure, but may be carried out in other ways.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a simulated football game, a game piece representing a player and comprising a disk provided with an annular shallow generally flat-bottomed recess adapted to receive a simulated football, with an annular upstanding rim adapted to retain said simulated football, with an annular incline extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer portion of said recess to the inner portion of said rim and being adapted to cause the simulated football to be dislodged by a sharp horizontal movement of the piece, and further provided with a central hole adapted to receive one point of a measuring device whereby pieces may be accurately positioned on the playing surface and properly spaced from one another.

2. In a simulated football game, a game piece representing a player and comprising a disk provided with an annular shallow generally flat-bottomed recess adapted to receive a simulated football, and with an annular, upstanding rim adapted to retain the simulated football, with an annular incline extending upwardly and outwardly from the outer portion of said recess to the inher portion of said rim and being adapted to cause the simulated football to be dislodged by a sharp horizontal movement of the piece, and further provided with a central hole adapted to receive a point of a measuring device, and an annular element simulating the football, said element being substantially twice the thickness of the depth of the recess and being provided with rounded edges adapted to mate with the annular incline of, said disk and being provided with a two more chances to block, Next the defensive central hole adapted to receive a point of a meas- 3? uring device whereby pieces may be accurately positioned on the playing surface and properly spaced from one another.

3. In a simulated football game, a gairepresenting a player and comprising a disl; vided at each side with an annular shallow g erally flat-bottonie-d recess adapted to receive simulated football, with an annular, upstanding rim adapted to retain the simulated cotbali, with an annular incline extending upii wrdly and outwardly from the outer portion of said recess to the inner portion of said rim and being adapted. to cause the simulated football to be dislodged by a sharp horizontal movement of the piece, and central hole adapted to receive 9, point of a n: asuring device whereby pieces may be accurately spaced on the playing surface and properly spaced from one another.

4. In a simulated football game, a gane piece representing a player and comprisirr a div vided at each side with an annular shallo erally fiat-bottomed recess adapted to receive a simulated football, with an annular, upstan rim adapted to retain the simulated football, Q'iluh piece pro" an incline extending upwardly outwardly g zontal movement of the piece, and further provided with a central hole adapted to receive a point of a measuring device, and an annular element simulating the football, said element being substantailly twice the thi n s of the depth of the recess and being provides. with rounded edges adapted to mate with th incline of said disk and being further vided at each side with a cen tral hole adapted to rec ive a point of a, measuring device whereby pieces may be accurately posltioned on the playing surface and properly spaced from one another.

EDWARD T. ARNN.

CITED ihe following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date 8.1 Base Aug. 24, 1897 799,848 I; Sept, 19, 1.965 808, 11 Perl Dec. 26, 19%- 1,190,03 Q llnll July 4, i910 1, 172%? Lilla-rd Oct. 1923 1,505,703 Brown Nov. 2, 1926 1,712,781 Williams May 14, 1929 

